Nepal wrapped up their CWC League 2 campaign in Scotland with a hard-fought 16-run win over the Netherlands in the fourth and final ODI of the tour. With this result, Nepal secured three wins out of four matches in the tri-series, collecting 14 points from 16 games in the ongoing League 2 campaign. Their only defeat of the series came in a closely fought encounter against hosts Scotland, where they lost by just 2 runs in a dramatic finish.
Invited to bat first, Nepal posted a competitive 236/9 in 50 overs. Aarif Sheikh led the charge with a career-best 84 off 85 balls, smashing seven boundaries and two sixes in a composed knock that held the innings together. Skipper Rohit Paudel and Bhim Sharki chipped in with useful contributions of 35 each, while other batters played brief but vital cameos to push the total past the 230-mark.
The Netherlands bowling was led by Paul van Meekeren, who claimed 4 wickets, while Michael Levitt impressed with 3 wickets in his spell.
Nepal were handed a rare 10-run penalty during their innings, meaning the Dutch side began their chase at 10/0 before facing a single delivery. Despite that advantage, the Netherlands fell short in their pursuit. A strong start saw them reach 96/2, but regular breakthroughs from the Nepal bowlers pegged them back to 136/6. The Dutch were eventually bowled out for 220 in 49.2 overs.
The star with the ball for Nepal was leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who picked up 3 wickets. Making a dream debut, pacer Nandan Yadav also grabbed 3 wickets, while Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Bhurtel kept things tight with economical spells and picked up 2 and 1 wicket, respectively. Karan KC closed out the innings by taking the final wicket.
For his match-winning knock, Aarif Sheikh was named the Player of the Match.
Nepal made three changes for the final game. Anil Sah came in for opener Aasif Sheikh, while injuries to Gulshan Jha and Sompal Kami paved the way for Basir Ahamad and debutant Nandan Yadav.
With the ODI series concluded, Nepal now turn their focus to the upcoming T20I Tri-Series featuring Scotland and the Netherlands, before heading back home.
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